The Anatomy of the Spine - Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Coccyx and Sacrum.

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The Anatomy of the Spine
The 5 sections of the spine: The cervical spine makes up the neck and has 7 vertibrae. The thoracic spine has 12 vertibrae which the ribs attach to. The lumbar spine has 5 which make the lower back. The sacrum consists of 5 bones which are fused or stuck together and the coccyx is made up of 4 tiny bones and used to be a tail. Intervertibral Discs Each vertibrae is separated by intervertibral discs which are flexible cartilage discs. These allow movement in the spine and have a shock absorbing or cushioning function as well. Each disc is made up of two parts, a tougher fibrous outside and a central substance called nucleus pulposus. When a disc is damaged (or prolapsed) it is the squidgy liquid in the middle which often squeezes out putting pressure on the spinal cord causing pain. Test Yourself: Name the 5 sections of the spine Flip card > Name the 5 sections of the spine Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacrum Coccyx Next Card > How many vertebrae are in each of the sections? Flip Card > How many vertebrae are in each of the sections? Cervical = 7 Thoracic = 12 Lumbar = 5 Sacrum = 5 Coccyx = 4 Next card > What are the two functions of the intervertebral discs? Flip Card > What are the two functions of the intervertebral discs? Allow movement and shock absorption Next card > Name the two types of bony process which protrude from each vertebrae Flip Card > Name the two types of bony process which protrude from each vertebrae Spinous processes and transverse processes Start again with first card > External links: Low back pain - information on low back pain from sportsinjuryclinic.net. Slipped disc / sciatica - pain radiating down the leg explained on sportsinjuryclinic.net. Football boots - from Wynsport.com. Buy discount boots online. Lumbar Rolls - Return2fitness.co.uk for lumbar support roles. Next - Types of bone >>	Test yourself: The spine revision flash cards Download your own skeleton picture to label Joints, tendons, ligaments and bones online quiz Learn More About: Types of bones Nerves

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